Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on Thursday at Delhi's AIIMS, leaving the country mourning the irreplaceable loss. While political leaders and diplomats across the country condoled Vajpayee's demise, leaders from neighbouring South Asian nations also expressed grief on the unfortunate event.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described Vajpayee as "one of the most famous sons of India" sharing that she was "deeply shocked at the sad demise of former PM Vajpayee".

"He'll be remembered for contributing towards good governance and highlighting issues affecting common people of India as well as regional peace and prosperity," PM Hasina noted. 

"Today is a day of great sadness for all of us in Bangladesh," she said.

"He was our friend and highly respected in Bangladesh. As a token of recognition for his invaluable contribution to our Liberation War in 1971, Bangladesh government conferred on him Bangladesh Liberation War Honour," Bangladesh's PM shared. 

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace!" tweeted Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The government of Pakistan also condoled the loss and noted Vajpayee as a "renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in Indo-Pak relations and remained a key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development".

"Pakistan government and the people extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the government and people of India," news agency ANI quoted Pak government's statement.

According to the official statement released by AIIMS, Vajpayee passed away at 5.05pm on Thursday, August 16.

"It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at 5.05pm on August 16," the statement noted.

"Shri Vajpayee was admitted in AIIMS on June 11 and was stable in the last 9 weeks under the care of a team of AIIMS doctors. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. Despite the best efforts, we have lost him today. We join the nation in deeply mourning the great loss," AIIMS stated in the release.